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Finding your roots used to be such a taxing process.
This includes the ability to study your ancestry in a more convenient and comfortable way.
you’ve got the option to now do it wherever you are whenever you like.
Genealogy software lets you do a lot of stuff, too.
This includes dates, locations, relationships, and others.
you’re free to keep multiple databases for numerous family trees.
You may also print out your ancestral charts and family tree or share them with other people electronically.
It also allows you to bring your information from one genealogy program to another.
There is a wide selection of applications online that exist for the purpose of tracking your familys roots.
Having to deal with all of them to find the best one for your search can be a headache.
Here then are the best genealogy tools you should check out.
We’ve also featured thebest people search finder services and engines.
Best genealogy tool overall
1.
Family Tree Maker
FTM or Family Tree Maker is currently the most popular and widely used genealogy software.
It has been around for a couple of decades and is quite a powerful tool.
This is very useful for cases when your relatives are updating the same tree as you.
All the information added by them is shown on your tree and the other way around.
It also lets you assign a color as a code for certain ancestors.
With up to eight colors to use, you will have an easier time tracking your research and updates.
The program is also able to connect with the Ancestry website and it recently also connected to FamilySearch.com.
you’re able to download records from them directly to your family tree.
They are two of the largest genealogy sites online with billions of records available.
This is an advantage that definitely makes the FTM utility worth every penny.
It is also one of the few programs available that lets you add same-sex marriages to your family tree.
All you need is a stable Internet connection.
A number of downsides do exist though.
One is the limited amount of charts and reports available.
It cannot compete with Legacy 9 when it comes to the charts.
Since the program has been available for quite a long time, it does have a lot of users.
This converts into a huge amount of online support available, which is of great help for newbies.
Some information might be outdated though because of how many changes it has gone through.
Best general genealogy tool
2.
RootsMagic
RootsMagic is less famous than its competitors but definitely not lagging behind with what it has to offer.
It has all the basics that genealogy research needs hand-in-hand with some really helpful add-ons.
It even has a drag-and-drop tool for moving people from a database to another.
it’s possible for you to bring it with you and reach the program anywhere and anytime.
Sharing your research results is a piece of cake with the programs built-in tools.
you could come up with your very own webpages or keep the information on CDs or DVs.
You also have the option to print them as you like.
RootsMagic is also flexible enough to deal with complicated relationships.
It also belongs to the small group of programs that allow same-sex marriages.
More so, its interface is not as good-looking or user-friendly as other programs.
It has a smaller community, which translates to lesser user support.
However, it comes with how-to video guides and tutorials.
it’s possible for you to use RootsMagic Essentials for as long as you like without any cost.
Best genealogy tool for features
3.
Legacy Family Tree
Many consider Legacy Family Tree as the best genealogy tool nowadays.
This program comes with all the features you need and expect plus a few more.
One feature that stands out allows you to compare two people.
This is quite useful if you are looking at two records bearing the same name.
you’re free to examine them to see and confirm if they are indeed the same person.
The program also offers the widest charts and reports among the many different genealogy programs around.
In most cases, they also look better than others.
You end up with various choices when printing the results.
Its built-in internet tool also makes it easy for you to have a look at online sites.
There is no need to move between windows back and forth.
The program also comes with an online backup system to keep your information secure.
Its latest version even has the new X-DNA chart incorporated into it for tracking genetic inheritance.
The Legacy website is not as flashy as most of its competitors and is tricky to navigate through.
However, there is a lot of online support through forums and its own help center.
It is available currently in two versions.
The cost-free Standard version lets you experience most of what Legacy has to offer.
Best genealogy tool for ease of use
4.
Its greatest asset is the ease of use.
you’re able to use it right away without having to check out any manuals and tutorials.
Adding information into the program is quite simple.
Its smart tree option allows you to collapse or expand the trees different parts as per your need.
Sharing your family tree with family, friends or anyone else is also easy, electronically or by print.
They have double the number of charts that FTM has.
Unfortunately, Family Historians charts do not have any background, so they look quite dull.
More so, they do not process DNA results currently.
Family Historian 7 works on Windows Vista as well as 7 and up.
Its website is filled with guides and tutorials, but its support community is less than its counterparts.
It is linked with the databases of Findmypast and MyHeritage.
The price is around $70 for the full package.
We’ve also featured the best DNA test kit.
These two factors are the most important ones to help you evaluate which program suits your requirements.
In the end, though, there is really not much difference between the programs.
You are most likely not going to end up picking the wrong one.
The additional features that each one offers simply add to the convenience of the whole process.
Which genealogy tool is best for you?
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
